danzenbaker



; (No Model.)

' F. DANZBNBKER.

BEEHIVE- No. 521,876. Patented June 26,1894.

Sheets-Sheet 2 i lUNITED` STATES PATENT OFFICE.

vFRANCIS DANZENBAKER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BEEHIVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 521,876, dated. .I une 26, 1894. Application filed February 24, 1894. Serial No. 501,446. (No model.)

'To all whom it may oon/bern: i

Beit kno'wn that I, FRANCIS DANZENBAKER,

a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in Which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of my improved bee-hive. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view of my improved hive bottom, reversed, shallow side up. Fig. 2 is a sectional ydetail of the hive-case, and sheet metal support. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the removable sheet metal supporters, for the brood frames and sections.

Fig. tis a perspective view of the reversible rectangular framed hive-bottom, corresponding to the outside dimensions of the hive. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing my improved section with separator, and adjustable spacing section bars.

The design of my invention is to render more easy and convenient than heretofore the manipulation of bee hives, and to avoid the gumming or daubing of the same with propolis, thus saving the waste of beeenergy in collecting it and'increasing their capacity for producing honey, and to these ends, my invention consists in the construction of the parts of a bee hive, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specied and claimed.

The same letters refer to like parts in all the gures. v

In the drawings hereto annexed A designates the thick grooved side-bars of the hive bottom, having grooves so arranged as to form a deep yor shallow bee-entrance, and space under the brood frames by reversal of the framed hive-bottom, as occasion may require. The thin boards, B, of the hive-bottom are preferably made of three'I pieces; the center one three to four inches wide, and the othersY of sufficient width to lap onto the cleats C, which support their edges, and hold the side-bars, A, together. The central narrow piece, B 1s vheld in place by pressing the wider ones against it, and securing them by nails, D,

through-the side-bars in their inner edges, leaving them to expand or contract freely in the grooves, that the bottom may not bulge or check in using. This bottom is longer than the hive cases resting upon it, to provide space for the bees alighting at the front. By shifting the hive slightly forward when using the deeper side up, it being provided 'with a shallow pan or partition strip, F, at the rear end, it forms a secure and safe feeder convenientfor filling, and protected from robbers by removable strip G, and entrance blocks E.

The cases, H, consist of plain, uniform, rectangular frames of suitable dimensions, having straight, square edges fitting tightly together for storifying-either end about or either side up, which is the important feature of Ythe alternating functions of the hive. These cases maybe of any depth to suit the style of brood frame used; preferably less than six inches for reasons to be stated in connection with brood-frames. Each case is adapted by use of wedging boards, W, to form a complete double walledv hive within itself at triliing cost.

J is the thin inside coverl(honey board) litting alike all the cases. It is protected with folded metal cleats on the ends, secured at the center to prevent warping. The outer case, K is a plain open frame alike on both edges, of proper dimensions to telescope over the supers and brood cases for maintaining uniformity of temperature in the same, and its chief function is to provide a double wall with air spaces sufficient for inclosing the brood cases wrapped smoothly with several thicknesses of paper for retaining the warmth of the bees in outdoor wintering.

The outside top cover ofthe hive and cases consists of a dat board'provided with cleats,

M, having grooves, N, to clamp over' its ends,

securely fastened with nails near the center of the board, leaving its edges free4 to avoid checking by shrinkage-fwhile preventing its warping." These cleats serve to keepl the cover in place on the hive, and afford support for rough shade-boards, having an air circulatingspace between them.

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O is the space under the cover for ventilation or extra packing materials, as may be required.

v P showsrposition of paper packing folded eerste smoothly around and over the supers and cases in the airspace between them and the outer case.

Q indicates the sheet metal support having an upper and a lower flange that project in opposite directions with the lower edge of the outer case resting upon the lower flange, while its upper end hangs upon the thin cover, J of the super case holding it firmly in position.

In Fig. 3, represents one of my remova ble sheet metal brood-frame supports provided with turned edges or flanges r on alternate sides to hang upon the top edges of the cases with ends T, of brood-frames or sectionbars X, resting upon its lower edge,having such bee-space that will not be contracted by shrinkage above brood frames and sections as may be determined by the width of the sheet metal, and the depth of the case. These supports are adapted to other styles of hives, using deep or shallow, closefitting end-barred brood-frames, thus dispensing with the use of the vexatious extension top bars of hanging brood-frames. This arrangement gives increased capacity and facility of manipulation, as these removable supports cannot be glued fast to the hive by the bees; and are easily removed with the brood frames or sections by reversing the case, with wedges removed when the case may be lifted olf: or

.they can be passed down over a follower without reversing, leaving sections and frames free for inspection or removal.

In Fig 2a, S shows paper placed on the case, forming a cushion back of the supports R, if desirable to afford flexibility in filling, and facility of removal. Tarred builders paper may be used to repel ants where they are inclined to intrude.

The brood frames consist of end pieces T, with top and bottom bars U, forming frames that neatly fit in the cases, resting upon the lower flange 1', of the removable sheet metal supports R. They lack a bee-space, d of reaching the top of the supports and case, permitting the bees to pass freely over the bars of frames between the stories or under the cover without sealing them fast. The bars have saw-cuts V, for securely placing foundation, being of proper width and thiclc ness to form the spaces, a, that restrict the building of brace combs. The end pieces, T, are thinner than the bars, and of sufficient width to clamp tight together by a plain wedging board W`, forming a close smooth surface on the inside; preventing their being 'glued together, orto the metal support bythe bees.

The removable section slats X, for super bottoms, rest upon the fianges r, of the metal supports, provided with adjustable spacing brads Y to suit varying thickness of separators or width of sections. They correspond in width with the sections used to prevent them being soiled by the bees.

For securing surplus honey the oblong on epound sections, shown 'in Figs. l and 5 are covering in itself.

preferable; as such proportion conveys the correct impression of full weight, and twenty per cent. more of them than with what is known as the standard section can be placed on a given hive surface. Having space fora deeper cluster, `the bees enter them more readily, and filling them out betterat the sides they are more attractive in appearance, safer for transportation, and such honey sells from tive to ten per cent. more in market, than honey made in other styles of sections. The top and bottom pieces of these sections correspond for bee-space with the bars X. Their capacity is determined by the width of their sides, Z, which are scored out' at the corners z, providing lateral openings for free circulation of air and passage of bees between the rows of sections. When these open-cornered sections are made of one or tworpieccs, the

scores for bee-spaces at the top and bottom are lengthened sufliciently past theV cuts of the folded corners to form the said openings z. While this style of section secures better ventilation with shorter cuts for the beesbetween the rows ot' sections, it, also, saves the irksome labor of scraping propolis from the corners of sections, as bees do not daub or glue openings they can pass through freely.

The remaining edges are entirely covered and protected from propoliziug by the straight edged separator c, shown in Fig. 5, When put up close and tight with the wedgiug-board,

and end-fillings of paper, they will be clean,

and easily removed from the supers.`

The entire case of sections is covered at the top with a layer of parafiiue paper, b, com- `bined with layers of other paper as seen in Fig. l. In my experience this combined paper covering has proven superior to enameled sheets or other material, forming an airtight The bees do not cut it away nor daub it with propolis; it is easily removed, and may be used repeatedly.

Experience has taught that bees require plenty of ventilation at all times; aud it is best to have a full width opening across the front of the hive, which can be regulated to suit the seasons and conditions of the colonyto restrain the swarming impulse, and keep the bees from camping on the outside of their hives, which they must do to escape the stifling conditions caused by insufficient ventilation. When two or more stories are used, a greater space for ventilation is required than with a single one. These conditions can all be supplied ata single stroke-by simply reversing the framed bottom andshifting the hive forward, thus, giving full and direct ventilation at the front, and rear if desired.

The bees instinctively storetheir honey at the top and rear of their combs, where it is se-v cure from robbing bees; filling the lower and front part of the hive with brood and pollen.

`By turning the brood-hive around, to bring the end filled with honey to the light at the front, the bees will remove it to a safer posi tion in the surplus sections.

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30 l j tion'and oppositely extending horizontal portions at the upper and lower extremities, re-

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The supports, R, areI designed to be used indiscriminately for either frames or sections.

The shallow frames are safer from the sag-- ging of the top bars, or stretching and breaking down of combs, and are adapted to divid ing or doubling the capacity of the brood chamber most easily, as they canl be instantly removed with their inclosing case to diminish the capacity of the brood chamber, and asy quickly replaced to add to its capacity. The handling of the frames separately is unnecz essary.

When two stories are used as a brood chamber their capacity is sufticient for a full colony, andno excluder is needed to keep the queen out of the sectionswhen separators are used. By alternating the two stories of the double brood chamber at proper intervals the excess of honey will be removed to the supers above for safety from robbers, and its place filled with brood, thus keeping up the full strength of the colony.

' v Having thus described my invention, what I claim as my improvement, and desire to secure by Letters'Patent of the United States Patent Office, is-

1. As an improvement in bee hives, in combination with the casing and the frame or part to be supported therefrom, a removable support, or hanger, comprising a vertical porspectively of the latter, the upperof which engages said casing and the lowerthe frame or other part to -be supported, substantially as described.

2. As' an improvement in bee hives, a reversible bottom therefor, consisting of side tially as described.

rails, a bottom having its edges secured to said rails, the projecting portions of the rails being deeper on one side than on the other, and the transverse rails C C connecting the side rails at opposite ends and arranged on opposite sides of the bottom boards, substan- 3. As an improvement in bee hives, a reversible bottom therefor, consisting of side rails having their inner sides grooved, the portions on each side of the grooves being of dierent depths a bottom having the ends of its board or boards resting in said grooves, means for securing the bottom to the rails at or near the middle of the same, whereby the outer, free edges of the bottom are free to expand and contract, and rails orbars C C connecting the side rails at their ends, substan tially as described.

4.. A section for comb honey having its sides notched or cut away attheir corners, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. As an improvement in bee hives a mat or covering consisting of paraftine paper,sub' stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. As an improvement in bee hives, in combination with theV casing and the honey sections, a mat for the latter consisting of par-V affine paper placed next to the same, and a backing, as paper, placed over the parafne paper, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. y

. In' testimony whereof Iaiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS DANZENBAKER. Witnesses:

JAS. M. CHADsEY, ROBINSON WHITE. 

